What Flowers Bloom & Have a Scent All Summer?

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What Flowers Bloom & Have a Scent All Summer?

Blooming flowers add color and beauty to the landscape. When planted in hanging baskets or window boxes near the entrance, they provide an inviting atmosphere for guests. But, many flowers are prized for their fragrance, as well. With careful selection, you can grow flowers that are beautiful and fragrant all summer.

Alyssum

Highly fragrant alyssum blooms from late spring until frost. Its delicate clusters of miniature flowers trail gracefully over the sides of window boxes and hanging baskets filling the air with heady sweet fragrance. Available in a rainbow of colors from pure white to deep purple, Alyssum blends well with nearly any flower, creating a profusion of color and scent. Grow in full sun in rich, well-drained soil.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums range in color from pale yellow to vibrant hues of orange and red. Heart-shaped foliage creates a dense mound, while blooms hover slightly above on short 2- to 3-inch stems. Available as both dwarf and climbing varieties, nasturtiums create a mass of color when added to window boxes or planters.

Nemesia

New Nemesia hybrids bloom from late spring to fall. These miniature ½- to 1-inch flowers resemble the snapdragon, but lack the characteristic dragon jaw. Available in colors ranging from pastel pinks to deep rose, Nemesia emits sweet fragrance reminiscent of lilacs. Nemesia scent fills the air on still summer days. Grow in full or partial sun.

Flowering Tobacco

Flowering tobacco thrives in full sun. Available in both deep red and white, flowering tobacco attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies. It heady fragrance intensifies in the summer sun. Reaching heights of 12 to 36 inches, it makes an excellent bedding plant. Grow in full sun.

Scented Geraniums

Scented geraniums create an explosion of fragrance when the foliage is brushed by hand or breeze. Blooms are attractive clusters of tiny flowerets in shades of white, pink and purple. When grown near an entrance or along pathways, scented geraniums release fragrance throughout the summer. Growers have produced a range of scents from delicate apple to invigorating citrus. Grow in full to partial sun.

Petunias

Petunias thrive in partial sun, particularly morning sun with shelter from hot afternoon rays, but tolerate nearly any exposure. These massive plants trail to several feet, making them a favorite for hanging baskets and window boxes. Regular watering and deadheading keeps petunias blooming from late spring until fall. Fragrance is light and sweet.

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About this Author

Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with 4 years experience in online writing and a lifetime of personal journals. She is published on various sites, including Associated Content. Richford holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Maine Orono and certifications in 7-12 English, K-8 General Elementary and Birth to age 5.